courtesy of Chelsea Jackson...
This week I visited the lovely ladies at The Found and The Freed [pop up shop] in Gastown for a short Q&A to sneak some insight into their creative minds and finds. I fell in love with every piece as soon as I walked through the door - this store is nothing like what you’ll find in Vancouver, it's truly a gem. I had a great time chatting with the "Founders", Lindsay and Ainsley, and I hope you get a chance to check out their store before they 'pop out'!

Q: How did you get started in the Vintage/Found business and what led you to where you are today?
A: Both ladies started to collect cool vintage pieces that they each considered “too special to sell”. They kept them aside in hopes that they might start up a shop one day.

Q: Do you have a Vancouver muse or a favourite place in or around the city that inspired you?
A: The old Sugar Refinery. It’s so mysterious and industrial looking and makes me stop to stare every time, always wondering what’s inside.

Q: When it comes to style/design, what is the one thing you covet the most?
A: Having special objects that had a previous life, industrial materials, typography, different fonts of numbers and letters. Although it’s always changing! We always have to let go the objects we love to make room for new ones.

Q:Some people collect old cameras & typewriters, do you collect anything?
A: Ainsley: Things with the number “7” or “2” Lindsay: a few special compasses

Q: What is your favourite creative outlet?
A: Kinfolk Magazine is my favourite but I love to read the French design magazines.

Q: Finish this sentence … "My day is not complete without ___"
A: A couple of ciders from “The Irish Heather” just down the street!

Q: Tell me a little bit about your shop!
A: We started collecting in Edmonton and gathered a bit from Montreal. This is now our fourth pop up shop and it get’s more exciting each time. We really got inspired to open up our own store after visiting “Style Labo” in Montreal.

Q: Do you have a most popular item?
A: We’ve had a ton of requests for globes recently but our most popular item will always be chairs and stools. We have a book of requests for miscellaneous items that is constantly being added to.
Find The Found and the Freed at 110 Water Street [gastown] or contact them at info(at)thefoundandthefreed.com